Honoring Our Past
The University
2009 – 2018
The Santa Fe University of Art and Design emerged in 2010 after the College of Santa Fe was purchased by Laureate Education Inc. It offered degrees in fields such as film, photography, graphic design, performing arts, and digital arts, and was known for facilities like the Greer Garson Theatre and Garson Studios, which housed the largest permanent green screen in New Mexico. Despite notable collaborations, including scholarships sponsored by Robert Redford, the school faced ongoing financial struggles and ultimately closed in 2018.
The College
1966 – 2009
In 1966, St. Michael’s College transitioned into the College of Santa Fe, a coeducational, non-profit institution. It hosted a partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts and became an important center for higher education in Santa Fe. The campus expanded its creative offerings, including arts and performance spaces, but by 2009 mounting financial difficulties forced it to declare a state of emergency. These struggles paved the way for its transition into the Santa Fe University of Art and Design.
The Military Hospital
1943 – 1946
The Bruns Army Hospital was established in 1943 on what later became the Midtown campus. Built to treat World War II soldiers, including survivors of the Bataan Death March, it housed over 2,500 beds and employed more than 1,000 staff. The facility became a hub of wartime care and morale, hosting visits from figures like Helen Keller and Groucho Marx. After decommissioning, much of the land was repurposed for educational institutions, though remnants of the hospital remained on-site for decades.
The Educational Institution
1859 – 1966
St. Michael’s College, originally founded as El Colegio de San Miguel in 1859, began as a small school for boys operated by the Christian Brothers next to the San Miguel Mission in downtown Santa Fe. In 1874 it was chartered as the College of the Christian Brothers of New Mexico, making it the state’s first chartered college. After World War II, the college relocated from its original downtown site to the former Bruns Army Hospital campus, where it grew into a full liberal arts institution. In 1966 it was renamed the College of Santa Fe, continuing its long educational legacy on the Midtown property.
Looking to The Future
Today, the Midtown site is entering a new chapter. The City of Santa Fe is working with local partners and the community to reimagine the 64-acre campus as a vibrant hub for work, housing, education, culture, and public life. Building on its rich past, Midtown is being shaped into a place that reflects the creativity, diversity, and future aspirations of Santa Fe.
Looking to The Future
Today, the Midtown site is entering a new chapter. The City of Santa Fe is working with local partners and the community to reimagine the 64-acre campus as a vibrant hub for work, housing, education, culture, and public life. Building on its rich past, Midtown is being shaped into a place that reflects the creativity, diversity, and future aspirations of Santa Fe.
Archived Documents
Browse historical documents from our past.